Narcissa walked out into the garden to find the boys having Snitch races on their brooms. She shot sparks from her wand to signal them.
They flew down and dismounted their brooms, Draco holding the Snitch triumphantly in his hand. Harry shoving him, playfully.
"Boys, I will be out for awhile today. Please behave yourselves and don't cause any trouble. Mipsy will have lunch ready at noon. I'll be back before dinner." She gave them each a kiss on the cheek before leaving.
The boys waved goodbye and flew off. Narcissa used the Floo in her study to head to the Ministry. Once there, she made her way to the Wizengamont hall where Sirius' trial would be taking place.
She sat in the front, where she would be behind Sirius. She watched as spectators, reporters and Aurors filed into the room. As everyone was seated, the Wizengamot members took their place.
"I call to order on the 7th day of June, the trial of Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew, who we believed to be dead nearly thirteen years now. In light of new evidence, we shall proceed in a trial to either release Sirius Black and sentence Peter Pettigrew or vice versa. Please bring in the prisoners." Amelia Bones spoke.
Nacissa watched as they led Peter in, shackles on his neck, hands and feet, all connected by chains. Then they brought Sirius in, thankfully he was cleaned, groomed and in a new prisoner uniform. It took everything Narcissa had to get them to let him clean up for today. She wanted him to look as presentable as he could being locked away for nearly thirteen years.
Suddenly, the doors flew open and in walked Albus Dumbledore.
"Sorry I'm late. I was attending to school related business that needed my attention immediately." He stopped and look at Amelia sitting in the Head seat.
"Why am I not attending as Head Chief today?"
"We decided that since you are too close to both parties, it was wise that you not be a voting party of the proceedings." Amelia replied.
"Surely as Head chief I would be a voting party." Dumbledore replied.
"Pardon me, Albus, but it has already been decided. Please. Take a seat in the crowd. If you are needed we shall call upon you." Delores Umbridge piped in.
"Very well." Dumbledore mumbled and nodded then took his seat across the room, crossing his arms over his chest.
"It has been decided that each party will testify under the Veritaserum potion, as it is the only true way of knowing who is lying." Amelia continued. "The potion has been brewed by our own Potions master, and therefore he will administer the potion."
"I don't believe that will be necessary, Mrs. Bones." Albus piped in.
"Professor Dumbledore, it has been a unanimous decision by all members sitting in these stands today. Please, as you were told earlier, we shall call upon you when needed." Delores said, her brow furrowing as she spoke to him.
Mrs. Bones waved their Potions master forward. He began with Sirius, who gladly took it. They waited a few moments before starting the questioning.
"Mr. Black, where were you the night of the murders of James and Lily's Potter?" Amelia began.
"I was in my home, preparing the gifts I had recently bought for my Godson, Harry."
"When did you arrive at the Potter residence?"
"When I arrived, I walked in to find James at the foot of the stairs. I ran to him to find him already dead, so I rushed upstairs to little Harry's room to find Lily lying on the floor, also dead, and Harry crying in his crib."
"What did you do next?"
"I sent my Patronus to Hagrid, a trusted friend. He came immediately. I handed Harry over to him and gave him my bike and told him to get the young one somewhere safe. I told him about Lily and James and that I had to go check on Peter. I wanted to make sure my other friend was safe."
"At what point did you find Peter Pettigrew?"
"I Apparated to Peter's home. I found him in front of the house. I told him about James and Lily's death. He admitted to me he was the one who gave them away. That it was him that had betrayed us!" Sirius' voice began to get louder as he spoke.
"Then what happened?"
"I asked him why betray our friends. He couldn't give me a simple answer. It was then he took out his wand and shot at me. I managed to jump back a few feet and drew my wand to disarm him. I shot a disarming spell at him and before I knew it, he shot a unidentified spell at me. I dove out of the way, but it hit the pavement and blew up the street and knocked me unconscious for a moment. When I came to, Peter was gone. All there was left on the ground was his finger."
"When the Aurors found you, they say you were laughing like a madman. Why?" Amelia questioned.
"I was so destrought and overwhelmed that my sobs began coming out as manic laughs. And all I could think was I had killed a friend, and indirectly killed James and Lily."
"What do you mean indirectly?" Cornelius Fudge asked.
"I was the one who made the decision at the last minute to swap secret Keepers with Peter. If it wasn't for that, maybe they would still be alive." Sirius hung his head, tears evident on his face.
Amelia Bones looks to Albus. "Why wasn't he given a trial when this all began?"
Albus stood. "There was enough evidence at the time to convict him. There was no need to put him on trial for a murder he clearly done." He then looked to Sirius, a seemingly regretful look on his face.
"Obviously now that was a mistake that shouldn't have been done. At the time we didn't have Peter's body, thinking it had been completely disintegrated."
Murmurs throught the Wizengamot could be heard before Amelia held her hand up.
"Thank you, Mr. Black. Now we shall administer the potion to Peter Pettigrew."
"No! I won't do it. I refuse! I have a right to refuse this!" Peter began yelling, thrashing around in his seat.
Suddenly, Lady Longbottom stood, slamming her can down on the floor. "Dead men have no rights, Mr. Pettigrew." She said, sternly but aggressively, her brow furrowed and her eyes boring into him with disgust.
Peter suddenly stopped thrashing. Aurors held his head and the potion was administered, a few moments passing before questioning began.
"Peter Pettigrew, I will begin to ask questions about the night that James and Lily Potter were killed. Now, where were you the night of the murders?" Amelia began.
"At the Potter's home they were hiding away in at Godric's Hollow."
"Why were you there?"
"Waiting for the Dark Lord to arrive. He was set on killing the Potter's and their infant son."
"How long had you been on the Dark Lord's side?"
"I was on his side right after my last year of Hogwarts. I hadn't officially joined the Dark Lord and his followers until just before the Potter's had the child. He came to me and promised me great power and that I would help him lead the wizarding world if I joined him and gave him the location they hidden away at."
Suddenly Sirius stood, slamming his fist on the table. "Why? Why betray us for that long? We were all your friends! James and Lily loved you!"
"Quiet, Mr. Black!" Amelia shouted. After he calmed down, she looked back to Peter. "Why did you betray them?"
"I am a coward. I wanted more than what I had. I was always the odd one out! I wanted to be powerful! To be someone!"
"After the Potter's were killed and Mr. Black found you, what happened?"
"When Sirius found me, I sent a spell the Dark Lord taught me at him. Before he come to, I transformed into a rat and chewed my own finger off and ran away."
Delores Umbridge cleared her throat. "Excuse me. You turned into a what?"
"A rat. Its how I was easily able to get away."
"I don't have you on the registry for Animagus. You unlawfully transformed? Why?" Umbridge questioned.
"Our friend Remus Lupin has lycanthropy and James, Sirius and I became animal to help him in times of the full moon."
Delores Umbridge turned towards Sirius. "Is that true?"
Sirius nodded. "Yes. James turned into a stag, and I a black dog."
More murmurs ran through the stands from everyone. Amelia holding her hand up to quiet the room.
"Mr. Pettigrew. One last question. Do you regret killing the Potters?"
He began laughing. "No. Soon the Dark Lord will be back! And he will have the Potter boy! No one will stand in his way."
"I've heard enough. I think it's time we all leave into the chambers and discuss everything we have been told today." Lady Longbottom spoke.
Amelia nodded. "I agree. We will dismiss for today. Sentencing shall resume tomorrow morning at nine."
Narcissa stood, proudly, behind her cousin. She knew she couldn't speak to him, but she did give him an encouraging smile and nod when he turned to look at her. She left the room and headed home.
Once back in her study, she dusted herself off and went to find the boys. She found them in the back gardens, playing a game of wizards chess.
"Hello, my dears. How was your day?"
"Good. We've been out side mostly. How was yours?" Draco responded.
"Very well. Harry, dear. I'd like you to accompany me to the Ministry tomorrow."
"May I ask why?"
Narcissa nodded and sat beside him. "Today I went to Sirius' hearing. They had Peter there as well. They administered Veritaserum to them both and proceeded with questions. Tomorrow is the sentencing."
Harry's eyes went wide. "Will they allow me there?"
Narcissa put her hand on the boys arm. "I don't see why not. You are his Godson and your future rests on what they determine."
Harry gave her a nod and smile. "Thank you. For including me. It means alot."
Narcissa smiled. "Of course, dear. Now, you to get inside and freshen up. Dinner will be soon." Narcissa gave them both a smile and headed inside.
The rest of the evening was a quiet affair. Harry could hardly sleep, thinking about the next day. He hoped that his future would be changing soon.
Narcissa and Harry walked through the Floo and into the Wizengamot chambers. They took their place behind where Sirius would sit. Harry look around at the many people that were there. It surprised him to see Albus Dumbledore there, sitting across from where he was. Before he could ask Narcissa why, the Wizengamot members took their places.
"Please bring the two accused in." Amelia Bones loudly said over the chatter in the room.
Harry watched as they brought Peter Pettigrew out first. Peter looked at the crowd, spotting Harry. Harry squinted his eyes, daring Peter to say anything. Peter just looked down, shamefully as the Aurors pulled him to his seat. Next came Sirius. Harry sat up straighter as his Godfather come into the room.
Sirius looked up as he was led in, spotting Harry instantly. He stumbled for a moment, looking at the boy. With a smile on his face and tears in his eyes, he stood in front of him, silently pleading with Harry to forgive him. Harry gave him an encouraging smile and nodded back.
Amelia Bones cleared her throat and held her hands up to signal the start of the proceedings.
"After much consideration and discussion after yesterday's proceedings, it is the judgement of the Wizengamot on this 8th day of June that Peter Pettigrew, once presumed to be deceased, shall serve out the rest of his days in a cell in Azkaban, and also receive the Dementors Kiss for his crimes in the murders of James and Lily Potter and the framing of Sirius Black."
Murmurs erupted around the room, Peter yelling and pleading for his life at the news.
"Therefore!" Amelia yelled. "Sirius Black, you are now a free man and your crimes forgiven. You will be released immediatly to the care of St. Mungo's, as we have been informed you asked for, correct?"
"Yes, Ms. Bones."
"You will be required to spend a eight month minimum there to have any therapy needed to provide you with a sound mind. Also, you must register within three months to be an Animagus if you so choose to do so. Do you have any questions or comments?"
"When can I have custody of my Godson?" He turned to look at Harry.
"When the Healers at St. Mungo's see you fit to be back in society, we shall have a meeting with you, the Malfoy family and Harry to discuss the terms of the Guardianship."
"Can he visit while I'm there? I'd like to get to know him."
"It is up to his Guardians and him as to if he can visit after two months of being in assessment."
Sirius nodded. "One last question. Where do I sign before I leave to formally register as an Animagus?"
Delores Umbridge stood. "After your two month assessment, Mr. Black, I shall come to see you and we will do all the necessary paperwork and requirements to have you register."
Amelia looked to everyone in the room. "If there is nothing further, it is hereby on record for this 8th day in June that the proceedings of Peter Pettigrew and Sirius Black are officially over. Take Pettigrew to Azkaban and release Black to St. Mungo's."
Harry stood, a big smile plastered to his face. When Sirius was taken out of the shackles, he turned and opened his arms. Harry immediately hugged him back.
Sirius pulled him away and looked into his eyes. "My dear boy! How much you look perfectly like both your Mother and Father."
Harry nodded. "I get that a lot."
"I must go now, but I do hope you write and visit. I cannot wait to know you." He patted Harry's face then turned to Narcissa. "Thank you, Cissy. For everything."
Narcissa smiled and placed her hand on his cheek. "Of course, dear cousin. And don't you worry, I will have Grimmauld place ready for when you're able to go home."
Sirius nodded. "I'll see you soon." He was led away by Aurors and Harry and Narcissa went back to Malfoy Manor.
Harry felt a heavy weight lift off of him when he stepped into his room. For the first time since he went back, he finally felt everything was going to be okay.
A/N: Hi my lovies!!!! I hope you have enjoyed this chapter! plans for 5-6 more are under way! I'm trying not to keep yall waiting too long for another!